I will tell you a story that happened a long, long time ago, a time before the world was complete, a time just after the birds had learned to fly, a time just before the stars were set in the sky. When the world was new, things were very different. Things were not like they are today.

For one thing, at that time, animals and human beings were very much alike. The animals could think and talk and, what is more, when the world was new, thoughts were as wishes. And wishes always came true.

Long, long ago, the world was a very unsettled place. The creatures of the world had not found their place in the way of things. Even today, we call this the “dream time”, a time when anything was possible.

Anyway, there was a sea eagle, what we call an osprey these days. He lived in a nest high above the sea shore, on a rocky perch, a craggy cliff near the peak of Mount Deception. Every day, he soared and wheeled high above the shore as the waves rolled and splashed.